Residents make most of winter weather and day off

Winter Storm Rocky brought most life in Kirksville to a standstill Tuesday, though some residents managed to get out and brave the conditions for some fun in northeast Missouri’s winter wonderland.

With a foot of new snow combining with the eight-plus inches the area received from last week’s winter storm, Adair County became a sledder’s paradise for six members of the Truman State swimming team - especially thanks to Monday evening’s announcement that classes were canceled for the following day.

“I was in the library,” said Taylor Birsa of when she heard the announcement, “and the whole library cheered and started clapping.”

Joined by Haley Lanser, Beth Eyanson, Margaux Kent, Casey Jepsen and Jarod Simek, the group was walking through deserted downtown streets on the way to their sledding destination just after noon on Tuesday.

“It’s like the zombie apocalypse,” Lanser said in describing the empty scene.

Dan Mattheiss and Danielle Williams were heading to a city park to build a snowman.

“We’re just messing around, having fun in the snow,” said Mattheiss, who grew up in eastern Colorado. “We used to have snow like this. It reminds me of my childhood.”

Many residents had no choice but to remain in their homes as city crews worked into the night to clear local streets. Those who reported such situations Tuesday afternoon on the Daily Express Facebook page were, however, understanding.

“We know they had a lot to deal with,” wrote Sheila Martin. “Thanks everyone.”

“They have a lot to keep up with and I know they will be here sometime,” wrote Stephanie Parry Murrell.

“My neighborhood hasn’t been bladed yet, but I know they will get to it as soon as they can,” wrote Tammy Ward. “Yes they for sure have a lot to deal with right now and will probably be putting in many overtime hours to get everyone cleared.”

Residents were even understanding of the Kirksville Post Office’s decision to cancel home delivery for just the third time in the last 40 years.

“This is such heavy, wet snow,” wrote Bridget Thomas. “The catalogs can wait.”

And while some, like Kirksville’s John Axsom, “roughed it and walked to work,” others made the most of an unscheduled day off - even if they were, essentially, trapped.

“Watched Netflix all day,” wrote Rebecca Moots Peterson. “Kids played in the snow.”

“Baked three loaves of French Bread and made ham and potato soup,” wrote Philip Slocum.

As for those still captives of their homes Wednesday morning, they wanted some kind of return to normalcy.